Carpenter Bee Exterminating - EHS Pest Control Services

Carpenter Bees - Scutigera coleoptrata

Carpenter bees typically become active during late spring to early summer. Usually you will notice sawdust or “frass” falling to the oground
as they bore into wood for their nesting galleries. They can also be observed hovering around your roofline or chasing each other during their mating
ritual. Carpenter bees are certainly one of nature’s most adept flyers.

At first glance carpenter bees resemble bumblebees in that they are both large with darkish coloration. The notable difference between the two is that
while the bumblebee has a hairy appearance, the carpenter bee's abdomen is black, bare, and shiny.

Carpenter bees only nest in wood above ground. They bore a perfectly round hole a little smaller than a dime into wood which is usually unpainted and non-pressure
treated. The carpenter bee does not eat the wood though, but dumps the excavated sawdust out of the active hole. Female carpenter bees hollow out long
galleries along the infested wood and build chambers inside where they lay their eggs.

Carpenter bees can be a nuisance for several reasons. First and foremost, they act very aggressively. Although females rarely sting (though they can),
they will not hesitate to fly in a bellicose fashion around individuals who are near their nest. Carpenter bee galleries can destroy the wood they
are infesting (often fascia boards, decks, siding, etc) if not treated promptly. Their fecal matter can stain windows and siding.

Procedure - The most effective way of getting rid of a carpenter bee infestation
is treatment of the active galleries with a residual dust. EHS will also treat the surrounding areas with a residual repellent to ensure that other
potential areas will not become infested later in the season. After the treatment is administered and all activity has ceased, the previously infested
areas should be painted or heavily stained so re-infestation will not occur in the future.